Planning a visit to Yellowstone National Park? The adventure doesn’t end at the park’s borders! Surrounding Yellowstone are charming cities and gateway towns that offer unique experiences, from cozy accommodations and local dining to outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Cities near Yellowstone National Park, like West Yellowstone, Cody, and Jackson, serve as perfect bases for exploring this natural wonder while providing conveniences and vibrant local character.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the top cities near Yellowstone National Park, uncovering what makes each one special and how they can enhance your unforgettable journey to this iconic destination. Start your journey with nationalparkshops.com!
Contents
How many entrances does Yellowstone National Park have?
Depending on your travel plans and the cities near Yellowstone National Park you visit, you may only use one or two entrances, or you may explore multiple entrance points during your visit.
North Entrance
Located near Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance Station provides access to the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone National Park. This entrance is marked by the iconic 1903 Roosevelt Arch, designed as a majestic gateway to the nation’s first national park. Gardiner is also one of the nearest towns to Yellowstone’s northern boundary.
West Entrance
Situated in West Yellowstone, Montana, the West Entrance Station is among the park’s busiest access points and frequently experiences traffic congestion during the summer months in Yellowstone. To bypass the long lines, consider entering the park before 8 a.m. or later in the afternoon. As one of the cities near Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone is a highly sought-after destination for visitors seeking convenient accommodations.
Northeast Entrance
Nestled near the small community of Cooke City-Silver Gate, the Northeast Entrance Station is set in a historic 1935 log building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This entrance is notably remote, with the nearest towns being Gardiner, located 50 miles to the west, and Red Lodge, Montana, 70 miles to the east via the scenic Beartooth Mountain Pass.
East Entrance
The East Entrance Station, located near Yellowstone Lake, is roughly an hour’s drive from Cody, Wyoming. This entrance provides access to quieter areas of the park, such as the West Thumb Geyser Basin. From here, Old Faithful is approximately 1.5 hours away, while Canyon Village is about an hour’s drive.
>> Top 8 Yellowstone National Park Geysers: Nature’s Spectacular Show
South Entrance
The South Entrance Station to Yellowstone is located just a few miles from Grand Teton National Park and is a little over an hour’s drive from Jackson, Wyoming. Nearby attractions like Jackson Lake and Colter Bay Village are only about 30 minutes away. This entrance is a key access point for visitors embarking on a combined Grand Teton and Yellowstone road trip.
Top 3 Cities Near Yellowstone National Park
While these cities near Yellowstone National Park might not be ideal as a base for exploring the park, they can be convenient options for an overnight stay when traveling to or from the area.
Bozeman
If you’re looking for the best cities near Yellowstone National Park to visit, Bozeman, Montana, is usually the most practical choice. While it may not serve as the ideal base for your Yellowstone adventure, it’s a great place to spend a night or two at the beginning or end of your trip. Located about 90 miles from the West or North Entrance, Bozeman is the closest city to Yellowstone National Park.
Bozeman offers a full range of amenities, including an international airport, hotel chains, major retailers, and sporting goods stores. Montana State University is also based here, and the downtown area along Main Street is filled with boutique hotels, local cafes, and unique shops.
With the Rocky Mountains nearby, Bozeman is also a fantastic destination for those seeking an outdoor adventure.
>> Bozeman to Yellowstone National Park: Ultimate Travel Guide
Idaho Falls
While Idaho Falls isn’t the most popular place to stay for Yellowstone visitors, it is one of the cities near Yellowstone National Park and can be a practical stop on a road trip. Located about 110 miles from both the West Entrance to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, it offers a convenient layover before heading further into the park.
Idaho Falls features a regional airport, supermarkets, retailers, and chain hotels, making it a simple and accessible option for accommodation. The city also offers a few local attractions, including a small waterfall on the Snake River, history and art museums, and scenic waterfront trails and parks.
Billings
Billings, the largest city in Montana, is the biggest city near Yellowstone, although it’s at least three hours from the Northeast Entrance. Due to the distance, it’s not an ideal base for exploring Yellowstone, but it can be a convenient stop on a road trip or a place to fly into via Billings-Logan International Airport.
Along with the usual shopping, dining, and accommodations you’d expect in a small to mid-sized city, Billings offers some excellent museums and parks, including the Moss Mansion Museum, the Yellowstone Art Museum, and Pictograph Cave State Park. The Yellowstone River also flows through the town, adding to its charm.
>> Hotels Near Yellowstone National Park
10 Small Towns near Yellowstone Must-Try
In addition to the options in the cities near Yellowstone National Park, smaller towns (smaller cities) are also worth considering. Here are some small cities near Yellowstone National Park that you should try at least once when visiting.
Silver Gate, Montana
Silver Gate is located on the Montana-Wyoming border, nestled amidst the stunning Beartooth Mountains. Just a mile from Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance, one of the park’s hidden access points, it provides access to some of the lesser-known and more serene areas of the park.
This entrance leads visitors to breathtaking yet often overlooked destinations, such as Lamar Valley, which many bypass in favor of more famous attractions.
Frequently referred to as “the American Serengeti”, one of these small cities near Yellowstone National Park is a prime spot for exploration, particularly for wildlife lovers. The region offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, off-roading, and water-based recreation.
Cooke City, Montana
Nestled in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains, Cooke City is located just outside the northeast entrance of America’s first national park.
This remote, stunning wilderness offers exceptional opportunities for outdoor adventures, surrounded by scenic landmarks like the Shoshone and Custer Gallatin national forests.
Livingston, Montana
Situated along the Yellowstone River, Livingston is one of the most underrated small cities near Yellowstone National Park. With over 100 years of history, it was once the original historic gateway to the park.
Founded as Clark City in 1882, it was renamed Livingston the same year in honor of Crawford Livingston, a railroad executive.
Additionally, the land on which the town sits has been home to Native American tribes, including the Bannock, Blackfoot, Crow, Flathead, and Shoshone, for thousands of years, and is regarded as a sacred area.
Cody, Wyoming
Named after the legendary American frontiersman Buffalo Bill Cody, this town in northwestern Wyoming is just about an hour’s drive from Yellowstone National Park. Cody is the ideal spot for those seeking some of the best attractions near the park. One of these small cities near Yellowstone National Park exudes the charm of the Old West, offering a glimpse into history.
With hot summers and mild winters, visitors can explore the Buffalo Bill Museum, which honors the life and adventures of this iconic pioneer, and the Old Trail Town, featuring recreated Western facades. Take a moment to visit a restored saloon or stroll along the dusty paths of Old Trail Town for an experience that truly feels like stepping back in time.
>> First-time Guide: How To Get To Yellowstone National Park
Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky, situated in the Gallatin National Forest, is renowned for its world-class skiing and offers outdoor recreation year-round. The area boasts some of the top ski resorts in the U.S., along with stunning mountain vistas and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities.
In addition to endless outdoor activities, Big Sky features unique shopping experiences, including art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés.
Located just an hour from Yellowstone’s West Entrance, the town provides easy access to some of the park’s best adventures, from exploring geysers to spotting wildlife.
Red Lodge, Montana
Located a two-hour drive from Yellowstone, Red Lodge is conveniently positioned near the Beartooth Highway and offers a charming glimpse into small-town America. Settled in the 1880s, one of these small cities near Yellowstone National Park has a population of just under 3,000 but is filled with places to relax and explore. In addition to its great local restaurants, bars, and specialty shops, visitors can visit the Carbon County Museum, which highlights the town’s mining history.
With hot summers and mild winters, Red Lodge also features the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, where animals that cannot be returned to the wild are cared for and protected.
Dubois, Wyoming
Dubois is renowned for the National Bighorn Sheep Center, home to the largest herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. The area is also inhabited by other big game species, including elk, black bears, antelope, mule deer, and moose, making it one of the top destinations for big-game hunting in the U.S.
Situated along the upper Wind River, Dubois may be small in size but is a haven for outdoor recreation. The surrounding Absaroka Mountains offer an abundance of hiking opportunities. Known for its rich cowboy heritage, Dubois also exudes an authentic Old West charm.
Island Park, Idaho
Island Park may be one of the most underrated gateways to Yellowstone National Park, but it offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure.
The town features stunning mountains, lush valleys, and scenic rivers, providing a wide range of outdoor activities, including walking and hiking trails, as well as snowmobiling in the winter. Island Park also offers various accommodations, such as lodges, private cabins, and picturesque campsites.
A must-see attraction in the area is Harriman State Park, which offers countless opportunities for fun, including fly fishing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking during the winter. Additionally, Island Park is famous for its 35-mile Main Street, the longest in America.
>> Top 9 Cheap Hotels Near Yellowstone National Park: Under 100$
Jackson, Wyoming
Incorporated in 1914, the town of Jackson has remained a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts and athletes. Renowned for its excellent ski and snowboard slopes, including Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Snow King Mountain, one of these small cities near Yellowstone National Park of just over 10,000 residents offers a picturesque mountain setting with stunning vistas and warm hospitality.
Located about 90 kilometers from Yellowstone National Park, Jackson also features the National Elk Refuge downtown, home to one of the largest elk herds in the region. Additionally, the Centre for the Arts is a fantastic place to explore and discover the talents of local artists.
West Yellowstone, Montana
Just a 16-minute drive from Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone is the perfect base for easy access to the park. This mountain town, with a population of 1,300, was first settled in 1907 and initially founded as a railroad town. Today, it primarily serves as a convenient stopover for visitors. One of these small cities near Yellowstone National Park offers charming local restaurants, delightful souvenir shops, specialty boutiques, and art galleries. Before leaving, be sure to visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, where you can observe and learn about various wildlife species outside of Yellowstone.
FAQs
What is the closest big city to Yellowstone?
Montana and Wyoming are not known for their large cities. With a population of around 120,000, Billings is the largest city in Montana and the closest major city to Yellowstone. However, it is about a 3-hour drive from the park.
Where should I stay for visiting Yellowstone National Park?
There are plenty of great places to stay near Yellowstone, but given the park’s vast size, no matter where you choose to stay, you’ll need to drive a fair distance to explore its attractions.
If you’re able to secure a reservation, staying at one of Yellowstone’s historic lodges is a fantastic option. For accommodations outside the park, West Yellowstone is a top choice, thanks to its proximity to an entrance and its variety of tourist amenities.
Where are the closest airports to Yellowstone?
Bozeman, Montana, is one of the cities near Yellowstone National Park with a major airport, located about 90 miles from a park entrance. Jackson, Wyoming, also offers airport access and is approximately 60 miles from the South Entrance to the park.
>> Read More:
